Replaced crankcase vent and diverter valves (after 18 years sitting on the car as factory installed). Was a pita to get to the diverter valve but after some struggle could manage it. With all the PCV and now these two valves replaced, the car flies like a jet. The power is totally restored. I regret why I waited so many years to replace these and suffered from a powerless engine that was a frustration on everyday ride. I guess one of the main reasons was the fear of getting to it as the space is very tight and I was afraid not to be able to finish it. But I eventually I was able to convince myself that if I had replaced the coolant flange, I surely must be able to do this as well. So I did and here I am. For this super-hero accomplishment I have committed to a month long vacation in Thailand with massage every night to ease my pain during this operation :thumbup:

 

Did you have pcv related codes? Was the dv clogged?


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Did you have pcv related codes? Was the dv clogged?

No I didn't even have any codes. But when I tore apart the beast it was in such bad condition and gunked up that no one could save it. I believe the DV was malfunctioning because even with the PCV replaced the car was somewhat better in terms of power restoration but today after the DV was replaced the car is totally different. That tells me the DV (after 18 years!) was shot. I think PZ had also mentioned in one of my other threads that DV makes a difference on engine power and today I saw that.

 

Debating whether I should invest in this. Never seen such a low mileage in Audi that old.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2365696793649786/


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Never seen such a low mileage in Audi that old.

Welcome to the world of odometer tampering. CarFax reported more than 2 million cars in 2018 alone had their mileage tampered. Very easy to do with a cheap device from China that hooks to the car's control module and makes changing the mileage very easy. May be this one is genuine. Who knows. But there are lot of cheaters out there.

 

Tried to drop the tranny pan to replace the filter and change the ATF but it was a failed attempt again. Had all the tools but at the last second 3 tranny bolts got stripped. Chief had already sent me a set of tranny bolts but I could not get these 3 darn bolts out.
So I thought I go ahead and at least change the ATF with fresh Valvoline MaxLife. But for some unknown reason to me I was not able to get a whole gallon of fluid in. It just kept pouring out. Had followed the procedure but don't know why I didn't accept more ATF.
Anyway, this is huge disappointment to me and I know my tranny is under-filled. I don't expect the tranny will last. I let it go and when it dies let it be.

 

Don’t give up on it. The bolt extractor set never let me down.
And use a simple pump to fill it.

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This is the famous write up for Passat tranny fluid change.
I would read it carefully.

https://www.taligentx.com/passat/maintenance/atfchange/


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Got new Bilstein rear shocks from FCP under lifetime warranty since the Sachs I bought 3 years ago were shot.

One of them expands slower than the other one after I compress it.

Does it mean anything?

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since the Sachs I bought 3 years ago were shot.

My shocks are factory original and after 18 years they are still good. What is your driving condition that shots the shocks so fast?

 

Went back and filled another 2 qt of ATF in the tranny while engine was running. I test drove the car and the 2nd gear was not kicking like before. May be the fluid is at acceptable level now but can't tell for sure. Next few days will prove if the gears shift better than before. I have abandoned my plans to ever drop the pan and do the filter change. Given the age of the car I don't think it's worth of my time/effort and risk. So I'm offering a new filter and gasket that I didn't use at its half price ($20) in case anyone is interested. Thanks for the tip and hints. :thumbup:

 

Brand? Pics?


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Someone stole all 4 center wheel caps off my ride so I finally found the OEM VW replacements. I'm really happy with my purchase because they're a perfect match. These are my new caps https://www.vwpartsprime.com/oem/volkswagen-accessories_cap-3b7601171xrw.html

 

Someone stole all 4 center wheel caps off my ride so I finally found the OEM VW replacements. I'm really happy with my purchase because they're a perfect match. These are my new caps https://www.vwpartsprime.com/oem/volkswagen-accessories_cap-3b7601171xrw.html

You paid $77.44 ($19.36 each) plus shipping? Couldn't you also pick up four of them for $1/each at a junkyard?

 

The old girl got brand new upper and lower control arms, bushings from 034 Motorsports, and a V3 coilover kit from KW. Pictures coming soon.

 

I looked at my car, after working on 3 doors over the last few weeks, and said "does any other car on the planet require a full time job as a DIY car mechanic?" :banghead:

 

and said "does any other car on the planet require a full time job as a DIY car mechanic?"

:rofl: :rockon:

 

Swapped the rear passenger door with a used one since the original had a few big dings. Took about 15 minutes. Then I tried to pull the window out of the original door since the tint was darker than the new door's window. Broke the window somehow trying to pop out the little plastic plug that holds the window to the regulator. Then spent an hour or more cleaning up the broken glass, trying to salvage the regulator panel and door lock mechanism from the old door. I guess I should have quit while I was ahead.....

 

Then I tried to pull the window out of the original door. Broke the window somehow trying to pop out the little plastic plug that holds the window to the regulator. Then spent an hour or more cleaning up the broken glass, trying to salvage the regulator panel and door lock mechanism from the old door. I guess I should have quit while I was ahead.....

Been there :thumbdown

 

Went to the junk yard. Found some gems. Neuspeed coils, Bilstein Shock absorbers (which I assume are shot), a brand new Michelin full size wheel and that crossbar, all from a 98 AEB sedan.

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Slap some new Bilstein's in there and you've got a very nice strut assembly. That spare looks brand new!

 

It has never been used. There still is the factory paint mark on the tire.

That bar was bolted to the body by one of the each 3 set of strut bolts. Is that the correct installation?

Also, do I sacrifice smooth ride for lowering the car or can I still get factory ride? I am very foreign to this lowering world, although I believe my black 2003 sedan would look super sexy lowered.





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Here's some eye candy for ya.

My 2004 GLX V6 5sp manual (sold 2 years ago)
This was just before I put PSS9 coil-overs in.

 

Salivating!!


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Finally finished re-doing my headliner and adding the sunglass holder for my B5. Next up is to reupholster my door panels. Then fab the dash and center console ?

 

Here are some updated pictures after all the work that went in it as mentioned above. KW V3, all control arms, wheels and tires plus timing belt, water pump, cam chains and seal and guides and full detail with ceramic coating.

 

Today I replaced both side-view mirror housings. The passenger side was cracked and I couldn't find a decent black one at the salvage yard. I replaced them with silver housings. My wagon is black and, I must say, the silver looks good.

 

Heh, kinda like an S4.

 

2 updates:
1. I glued the passenger side mirror glass back on with clear adhesive. It had come off due to age.
2. Rebuilt the front bumper with some ebay lower grills and judicious use of black cable ties. Car had a run-in with a downed traffic sign at night.

 

Yes i sold mine a year ago but thats what they look like, HP Evos or evo Plus. You could run the HP center cap or the VW ones!

 

Fixed the rear taillights due to blown fuse #23, which probably went out when the front side marker wiring got taken out (see post 8435).

Anyone have or know of a replacement pigtail for the front sidemarker light?

 

Anyone have or know of a replacement pigtail for the front sidemarker light?

I might have one. How much wire do you need?

 

I checked my brake fluid level cause the brake light came on. There's a quarter sized hole in my master cylinder reservoir.

Purchased a new on ECS Tuning last night.

 

sorry I am chuckling........ visualizing a scene from the movie "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" and later in "Hombre" and you driving thru the Superstions out there in Arizona,...."Brakes? ..... Brakes?" "we don't need need no stinkin brakes" since when do you use brakes?? on a serious note you are lucky, the most important thing on a car ,bar none, is the brakes/ability to stop did warning light come on or did you just see it?

 

OK I'm not gonna repeat the sad story of how I have tried multiple times to drop the tranny pan to change the filter and gasket but failed due to stripped bolts. Used a variety of tools but couldn't get them loose. So eventually I gave in totally.

A few weeks back, after my final attempt, I flushed and changed the ATF with Valvoline MaxLife. Few days later I noticed spot of oil under the car. I checked almost everything but was not able to determine where the oil leak comes from. As I also have coolant leakage, yesterday I crawled under the car to find where the coolant is leaking from and I noticed the tranny is leaking oil. Turned out I had not tightened the tranny bolts. So a quick wrench and at least the oil leak is stopped. Then I thought I pump some more ATF into it to compensate for the loss. It took like 3 more quarts of ATF.
But the gears shift very smoothly now and no more 2nd gear kicks. I think the poor thing was suffering from low ATF for a few years.

But the saga of coolant leak is still going on. I have already started panicking as it might come from the WP. If that's true then I'm screwed big time. Parts and labor will cost me at least $1000.
The car is in a good shape after 18 years. So I don't know what to do. Having these cars is a real torture.

 

Having these cars is a real torture.

Truer words have never been spoken. lol. Well, if I can do a WP replacement (timing belt, etc), then absolutely ANYONE can do it. I think you mentioned you were not up to the task on a previous post; again, if I can do it, anyone can. Nightmare job for someone like me, but doable with a lot of patience and precisely following instructions. I think total cost was less than $500 (incl. all special tools) with all the other new parts swapped out. Now, as for the associated anxiety costs, that's another calculation entirely.

 

Was about a month ago but redid all the suspension. Little lower and smoother.

 

Was about a month ago but redid all the suspension. Little lower and smoother. View attachment 89965 View attachment 89967 View attachment 89969

What coil-over kit is that, just wondering. And can somebody tell what the real purpose is of the 'flat' coiled spring(s) on top of the adjusting nuts?
My PSS9's have the same thing. You can completely collapse them by hand so what gives?

 

Yesterday I was inspecting under the car to find the coolant leak source. I noticed the CV boot on passenger side is badly gone. Fell in panic mode and bought a boot at local Autozone for $20. This morning took it to a shop who charged $237 to replace the boot. On the way back I regretted so much doing that since I could have bought a complete new axle under $100 and replace the entire thing myself. Morale of the story: never panic when something is wrong on the car or your brain gets locked and your pocket gets emptied :crazy:.

 

$237 to replace the boot.

That's half the cost of a set of axles from Marty.
Raxle axles for the masses. :thumbup:

 

Replaced the brake booster a month or so ago and discovered this sensor (I assume) floating around under the master cylinder. Can anyone identify it, and where it is supposed to be attached?

 

Replaced the brake booster a month or so ago and discovered this sensor (I assume) floating around under the master cylinder. Can anyone identify it, and where it is supposed to be attached?

View attachment 89989

View attachment 89991

I'm going to be honest, I don't know what that is or what it actually does. But that's the way it's supposed to be.
I remember years back a bunch of us were trying to figure out what that thing does, I don't ever remember hearing a definite purpose other than that's the way it came from the factory.

So in short, don't sweat it. It's normal. Got one on my wife's 2003 GLX. It just hangs there.